The results of natural laminar flow (NLF) experiments conducted by NASA to determine if modern aircraft structures can benefit from NLF as do sailplanes are presented. Seven aircraft, ranging from a Cessna 210 to a Learjet 28/29, with relatively stiff skins were flown in production configurations with no modifications. Measurements were made of the boundary-layer laminar to turbulent transition locations on various aerodynamic surfaces, the effect of a total loss of laminar flow, the effect of the propeller slipstream on the wing boundary-layer transition and the boundary-layer profiles, the wing section profile drag, the effect of flight through clouds, and insect debris contamination effects. Favorable pressure gradients for NLF were concluded to be feasible up to a transition Reynolds number of 11 million. Laminar flows were observed in propeller slipstreams, and insects were found to cause transition 1/4 of the time.


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    Title :

    Observations and implications of natural laminar flow on practical airplane surfaces


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences ; 1982 ; Seattle, WA


    Publication date :

    1982-01-01


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English


    Keywords :




    Natural laminar flow experiments on modern airplane surfaces

    Holmes, Bruce J. / Obara, Clifford J. / Yip, Long P. | TIBKAT | 1984


    Natural laminar flow experiments on modern airplane surfaces

    Holmes, B. J. / Obara, C. J. / Yip, L. P. | NTRS | 1984


    Natural Laminar Flow Experiments on Modern Airplane Surfaces

    B. J. Holmes / C. J. Obara / L. P. Yip | NTIS | 1984